The nursery is phenomenal, and means that more kittens will get the chance to live that Nicholas had.

SPRINGFIELD - There's a new nursery in the area and it is virtually purr--fect.

The Nicholas J. Piepul Kitten Nursery, for orphaned, or homeless kittens, under eight weeks of age, in need of intensive medical care, was unveiled at the Dakin Humane Society on June 23, and is said to be the first such nursery in New England.

As Leslie Harris, Dakin executive director, explained, in the lobby, that the society is able to focus on the needs of such newborns brought to it, because of its efforts in sterilizing some 48,000 animals, through the inception of its low-cost spay/neuter clinic, in 2009, volunteers, like Carole Demetre, were in the nursery caring for kittens, like Nate.

"He is almost 4 weeks old and, at 12 ounces, really under weight. He should be at least a pound," said the Belchertown resident, as she fed the tiny, orange-colored kitten through a syringe. Weeks old kittens, without their mothers, often don't eat, lack hydration and can't maintain body temperature.

Nearby West Springfield resident Kathleen Melton, a registered nurse who once took care of babies born prematurely, was cuddling 7-week-old Fabio who, at 1 pound, 13 ounces, is close to being put for adoption. Kittens at eight weeks should weigh about 2 pounds.

"Babies and kittens are about the same. The feral kittens, once you hold and feed them, get attached and are not wild," said Melton, sitting near a wall of cubicles in which tiny kittens were nestled together, curled up on disks that had been warmed in the microwave, or playing with a pipe cleaner hung for their amusement.

Watching Melton, Karina King, Dakin director of operations, noted that "mother cats do a lot," as kittens need them to be feed and kept warm. She added that if Dakin can get a stray, or orphaned kitten before it is six weeks, the kitten can be cared for to become a "normal pet cat."

The nursery, which can accommodate about 40 kittens, is named for the rescued cat of Springfield residents Jan and Bernadette Piepul, who are funding supplies for the nursery for the first year. Other support for the unit comes from contributors to Dakin's Buddy Fund.

"The nursery is phenomenal, and means that more kittens will get the chance to live that Nicholas had," said Jan Piepul, of the two medical care rooms now devoted to the vulnerable newborns.

The Piepuls rescued Nicholas, now six, and a handsome grey-striped cat, in 2008, after he was found "smoldering" on a Springfield Street.

"Someone had poured oil or gas on him, and set him on fire. I couldn't believe anyone would do that, and that an animal would live after that, " said Piepul, of the then eight-week-old kitten, who could not open its eyes, had lost most of its fur, and all of its whiskers.

The Piepuls happened to see Nicholas, during a visit to Dakin to make a donation, and ended up taking him home a month later.

"He is very personal and affectionate, loves to be held and is playful with his big brother Mickey," said Bernadette Piepul of Nicholas, whose only lasting scars are on his ear tips.

Dakin's Harris said the purpose of the nursery is to "reduce kitten mortality," by providing intensive care to vulnerable newborns whose medical needs may be too demanding for placement in a foster home. Some 42 volunteers have been trained to work in the nursery, and staff time made available to address such issues as poor nutrition, exposure to disease and need for socialization.

The aim is to then place the kittens, at eight weeks, for adoption after they are spayed/neutered and vaccinated, or for further, less intensive care in a foster home. While not an animal hospital, Dakin's spay/neutered clinic has helped reduce the number of stray animals in the area, though a need for foster homes remains.

The nursery is in need of a variety of items, like Royal Canin Baby Cat Canned Food, kitty litter, microwavable heating pad, and Dickies Scrub Jackets.